OHIO — Cities across the Buckeye State are gearing up to give back by recognizing Black Men's Wellness Day.
While some cities like Columbus, Mahoning Valley and Toledo have already celebrated their days, Cleveland and Cincinnati are preparing for their own.
This free event is hosted by the National African American Male Wellness Agency and offers free health screenings, vendors, live entertainment, a 5K run/walk and family activities.
Since 2004, AAMWA has provided more than 10,000 yearly screenings and helped with health education across the country. Over the past five years, the organization has expanded its focus of health and wellness to include, "fatherhood, financial wellness, mental health, mentorship and research initiatives."
At Columbus' 20th Walk to Save Black Men's Lives in 2023, 1,124 men and 702 women were screened of the over 30,000 attendees. In Youngstown, there were 2,500 attendees with more than 220 attendees screened, with 117 of those screened being men. In Toledo, 140 men and women were screened.
Numbers have not yet been released from the 2024 events for these cities. To look into the 2023 data, click here.
University Hospitals in Cleveland is lending clinical skills to the event including blood glucose screenings, cholesterol and prostate cancer screenings.
"Cleveland Black Men's Wellness Day is an excellent opportunity to help remedy healthcare disparities faced by African American men,” said Dr. David Headen in a news release. “Participants will see familiar faces eager to solve their health challenges and serve as a guide to the great care University Hospitals has to offer.”
Headen, a Cleveland native and an internal medicine physician at University Hospitals, is the event’s honorary chair.
Cleveland is recognizing the wellness day on Saturday, Aug. 24 beginning at 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Wade Oval, 10820 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106. Cincinnati's day comes at the end of the month, Saturday, Aug. 31 beginning from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1201 West Kemper Road Cincinnati, OH 45240.